Deadlines for Academic Progress
Below are the deadlines for completing your degree requirements in time so that you can participate in the commencement ceremony, get your name included in the commencement bulletin, and be awarded your degree in the desired term.
If you miss the final exam and ETD-approval deadlines, you will need complete the Start of Semester Defense Exception Request for the following semester. Once approved, the Graduate School will enroll you in one credit of Start-of-Semester Defense Exception and award your degree or certificate for the new semester.
Summer graduates are welcome to participate in the fall commencement ceremony.
2025-26 Deadlines
Fall 2025
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Prior to submission of final exam request in ESS (at least two weeks before Dec. 17)
- Application for degree deadline if you want your name to appear in the Commencement bulletin: Nov 1
- Final Exam: Dec 17
- Commencement: Dec 19
- Submit ETD: Two weeks after Final Exam date
Spring 2026
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Prior to submission of final exam request in ESS (at least two weeks before May 13)
- Application for degree deadline if you want your name to appear in the Commencement bulletin: Apr 1
- Final Exam: May 13
- Commencement: May 13
- Submit ETD: Two weeks after Final Exam date
Summer 2026
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Aug 1 (Prior to submission of final exam request in ESS, at least two weeks before Aug 14)
- Final Exam: Aug 14
- Submit ETD: Two weeks after Final Exam date
- Commencement: Summer graduates may choose to participate in the following fall or spring commencement ceremony
Fall 2025
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Prior to submission of final exam request in ESS (at least two weeks before Dec 17)
- Application for degree deadline if you want your name to appear in the Commencement bulletin: Nov 1
- If participating in commencement, PhD/EdD final exam card to Graduate School: Dec 12
- If not participating in commencement, final exam: Dec 17
- Commencement: Dec 19
- Submit ETD: Two weeks after Final Exam date
Spring 2026
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Prior to submission of final exam request in ESS (at least two weeks before May 13)
- Application for degree deadline if you want you name to appear in the Commencement bulletin: Apr 1
- If participating in commencement, PhD/EdD final exam card to Graduate School: May 6
- If not participating in commencement, final exam: May 13
- Commencement: May 13
- Submit ETD: Two weeks after Final Exam date
Summer 2026
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Aug 1 (Prior to submission of final exam request in ESS, at least two weeks before Aug. 14)
- Final Exam: Aug 14
- Submit ETD: Two weeks after Final Exam date
- Degree completion deadline: Sept 25
- Commencement: Summer graduates may choose to participate in the following fall or spring commencement ceremony
Fall
- Apply for certificate conferral: Nov 1
Spring
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Apr 1
Summer
- Apply for degree in HokieSpa: Aug 1
Participation in Commencement
Direct questions about eligibility to participate to the Graduate School at 540-231-8636.
All graduate degree candidates must confirm their plans to attend Commencement by Dec. 12 if participating in the ceremony.
All graduate degree candidates must confirm their plans to attend Commencement by May 1 for the spring ceremony.
- The Spring 2026 Blacksburg commencement ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 13.
- The Spring 2026 commencement ceremony in the greater Washington, D.C., area will be on Sunday, May 17.
